105 Voices of History formed a HBCU Virtual Concert Choir during National HBCU Week 2020. (Courtesy Photo) By Mark Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com Rena Taroy, Executive Director of the 105 Voices of History, didn’t receive her undergraduate degree from what is known as an Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Nevertheless, she has been […]
Author Archives: Mark F. Gray
Posted inD.C. Community
Twyman returns home bringing Thanksgiving to residents of Ward 7
Amari McDuffie (left) and NFL prospect and former H.D. Woodson all-American Jaylen Twyman (center) give Thanksgiving meals to residents of D.C.’s Ward 7 at Lincoln Heights Community Center. (photo by Mark F. Gray) By Mark Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com There were plenty of reasons for Jaylen Twyman to stay in Florida for the holidays. […]
Posted inNEWS
Saddiq Bey joins DMV’s NBA fraternity
Saadiq Bey was drafted with the 19th pick by the Detroit Pistrons. (Courtesy Photo) By Mark Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com Villanova Head Coach Jay Wright has made the trip two hours south to the DMV and has recruited enough talent to win the NCAA Men’s National Championship twice since 2016. Both Wildcats teams featured […]
Posted inSports
Burgundy & Gold Breakdown: Rivera’s defense is the demise in Detroit
The Washington Football Team was lost to the Detroit Lions 27-30. (AP Photo) By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com Twice the Washington Football Team’s defense had chances to make a stand and both times they wilted as the offense found itself to give themselves a chance to win. Head coach Ron Rivera has […]
Posted inNEWS
Some Americans distrust vaccine clinical trials
While drug companies are feeling confident as they test possible COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, the African-American community is still distrusting of the products. (Courtesy Photo) By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com President-Elect Joe Biden may have gotten a head start to curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic, as a new vaccine appears to be a […]
Posted inSports
Giants defeat Washington, team stays in bad division race
The Washington Football Team was defeated by the New York Giants, 23-20. (AP Photo) By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com With a chance to remain viable in the race for the NFC East Championship and earn the playoff spot from the worst division in pro football, the Washington Football Team looked to solidify […]
Posted inCollege
Locksley leads Terps to historic win at Penn State
University of Maryland historically beat Penn State 35-19 on Nov. 7, after losing 40 of their 43 meetings since 1917. (AP Photo) By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com Mike Locksley grew up as a Maryland football fan and endured the streak of endless defeats that lasted for decades. Locksley, the university’s first Black […]
Posted inNEWS
Local officials call for ballot protection
Some Maryland elected officials wrote to Congress two days after the election, demanding that the House pass legislation surrounding voter suppression, specifically to prohibit states from invalidating ballots postmarked by Election Day. (Courtesy Photo) By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com A diverse group of progressive leaders from Maryland suburbs surrounding Washington, D.C. took […]
Posted inNEWS, POLITICS, Prince George's County News
Hyattsville Mayor Hollingsworth Resigns To Focus on ‘Our Black Party’
Hyattsville Mayor Candace Hollingsworth is stepping down from leading the Prince George’s County community, to focus on the political organization she co-founded, ‘Our Block Party.’ By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com Candace Hollingsworth had been balancing on the tightrope between activism and politics during a year of political upheaval and social unrest. It […]
Posted inNEWS
PGCPS Won’t Reopen Schools Before February
PGCPS CEO Dr. Monica Goldson promised that the system would not be reopening for in-person learning prior to Feb. 1 at the earliest. (Courtesy Photo) By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com Less than a week after reaching an agreement to rebuild several new buildings, Prince George’s County Schools CEO Dr. Monica Goldson promised […]
Posted inHBCU
DMV HBCU Report: Howard Coach Tempers Expectations
Howard Coach Howard Blakeney (right) said that while player Makur Maker (left) is already making a positive impact on the locker room, one player cannot change the trajectory of a whole team. (Courtesy Photo) By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com Howard University Basketball Coach Kenny Blakeney understands that the weight of expectation grows […]
Posted inNEWS
Washington Stops Dallas As Allen Becomes Their Leader
Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (55) hugs Washington Football Team quarterback Kyle Allen (8) after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.) By Mark F. Gray AFRO Staff Writer mgray@afro.com Kyle Allen couldn’t have picked a better time to play his […]